In 1970 Philadelphia’s median income distribution was relatively flat, with two notable exceptions: traditionally well-off Chestnut Hill and the Upper Northeast.

By 1990, a drop in manufacturing, white flight and other factors were fueling declines in Lower Northeast and other blue-collar neighborhoods.

As of 2014, an incentive-driven residential building boom and an influx of professionals had lifted Center City and nearby areas to new levels of prosperity, while declines continued in parts of the Northeast and in the Southwest, a traditional industrial center.

CHICAGO

Median Household Income (adjusted for 2014 dollars):

Less than $30,000

$30,000 - $50,000

$50,001 - $70,000

More than $70,000

1970
1990
2014

CHICAGO_14 [preview]

2014

North Side

Lake

Michigan

Percentage of residents in each income class

39.4

20.3%

20.6

19.7

50%

100%

0

2014

North Side

Lake

Michigan

Percentage of residents in each income class

39.4

20.3%

20.6

19.7

100%

50%

0

2014

North Side

Lake

Michigan

Percentage of residents in each income class

20.3%

39.4

19.7

20.6

100%

50%

0

2014

North Side

Lake

Michigan

Percentage of residents

in each income class

19.7

20.6

20.3%

39.4

50%

0

100%

CHICAGO_90 [preview]

1990

Lakefront

Business and residential

growth in 1980s

West Side

Lake

Michigan

South Side

Percentage of residents in each income class

39.5

15.9%

34.8

9.8

100%

50%

0

1990

Lakefront

Business and residential

growth in 1980s

West Side

Lake

Michigan

South Side

Percentage of residents in each income class

34.8

15.9%

9.8

39.5

100%

50%

0

1990

Lakefront

Business and residential

growth in 1980s

Lake

Michigan

West Side

South Side

Percentage of residents in each income class

39.5

34.8

9.8

15.9%

50%

0

100%

1990

Lakefront

West Side

Lake

Michigan

South Side

Percentage of residents

in each income class

15.9%

34.8

39.5

9.8

100%

50%

0

CHICAGO_70 [preview]

1970

Northwest Side

Lake

Michigan

Blue collar area;

home to many

city workers

Southwest

Side

Percentage of residents in each income class

40

36.8

10.8%

12.5

100%

50%

0

1970

Northwest Side

Lake

Michigan

Blue collar area;

home to many

city workers

Southwest

Side

Percentage of residents in each income class

36.8

10.8%

40

12.5

50%

100%

0

1970

Lake

Michigan

Northwest Side

Blue collar area;

home to many

city workers

Southwest

Side

Percentage of residents in each income class

40

10.8%

12.5

36.8

100%

50%

0

1970

Lake

Michigan

Northwest

Side

Southwest

Side

Percentage of residents

in each income class

36.8

10.8%

12.5

40

50%

0

100%

In 1970 Chicago's status as a manufacturing hub was declining, but still alive with a robust middle class in the Northwest Side

By 1990 the West Side and South Side saw a drop in median income as the working class population declined while the Lakefront continued to boom.

By 2014 vast expanses of the South and West Sides had significantly declined while Lakefront wealth had spread to much of the North Side.

BALTIMORE

Median Household Income (adjusted for 2014 dollars):

Less than $30,000

$30,000 - $50,000

$50,001 - $70,000

More than $70,000

1970
1990
2014

BALTIMORE_14 [preview]

2014

Waterfront

Percentage of residents in each income class

10

19.8

20.1%

50.1

100%

50%

0

2014

Waterfront

Percentage of residents in each income class

20.1%

50.1

19.8

10

0

50%

100%

2014

Waterfront

Percentage of residents in each income class

50.1

20.1%

19.8

10

100%

0

50%

2014

Waterfront

Percentage of residents

in each income class

50.1

20.1%

19.8

10

100%

50%

0

BALTIMORE_90 [preview]

1990

East

Baltimore

West Baltimore

Percentage of residents in each income class

47.7

4

17.3%

31

100%

0

50%

1990

East

Baltimore

West Baltimore

Percentage of residents in each income class

47.7

31

17.3%

4

0

100%

50%

1990

East

Baltimore

West Baltimore

Percentage of residents in each income class

4

31

47.7

17.3%

50%

100%

0

1990

East

Baltimore

West

Baltimore

Percentage of residents

in each income class

47.7

17.3%

31

4

100%

50%

0

BALTIMORE_70 [preview]

1970

Northwest Baltimore

Northeast Baltimore

North Baltimore

East

Baltimore

Downtown

West Baltimore

Percentage of residents in each income class

29.5

46.9

21.7%

1.9

0

100%

50%

1970

Northeast Baltimore

North Baltimore

Northwest Baltimore

East

Baltimore

Downtown

West Baltimore

Percentage of residents in each income class

46.9

29.5

21.7%

1.9

0

50%

100%

1970

Northwest Baltimore

Northeast Baltimore

North Baltimore

East

Baltimore

Downtown

West Baltimore

Percentage of residents in each income class

29.5

46.9

1.9

21.7%

100%

50%

0

1970

North Baltimore

Northeast

Baltimore

East

Baltimore

Downtown

West

Baltimore

Percentage of residents

in each income class

29.5

46.9

21.7%

1.9

100%

0

50%

Baltimore’s median income distribution in 1970 resembled concentric circles radiating from the poorest areas near downtown to wealthy sections of North and Northwest Baltimore and middle-class areas of East, West and Northeast Baltimore.

By 1990, incomes had fallen in swaths of East and West Baltimore, while northern neighborhoods continued to thrive.

As of 2014, development incentives and the renewed popularity of urban living among young adults had sped the move by a wealthier professional class to booming waterfront areas.